We’re better together, JB plays down North Malawi secession

Malawi ex-leader Joyce Banda has said she believes that Malawi is better off as one nation and not having region separating from the nation to standalone.

The immediate past Head of State said in veiled reference to the secession campaign of North Malawi.

She was speaking in Chintheche, Nkhatabay when she met members of her party’s district and regional committees from Northern Region.

Joyce Banda: Unity

As president of the People’s Party (PP), Banda, met members of her party’s encouraging them not to exist merely as symbolic organs of the party but rather aiming higher in the PP rebuilding process.

“We should remain united as one Malawi and one people and not having divisions,” she said.

Her party’s provincial governor for the North, Christopher Mzomera Ngwira has touted for secession of the Northern Region.

Ngwira argues that any federal system would leave “a lagging North controlled, financed and audited by the same hands that have often sidelined it when it comes to public appointments and development projects”.

But Banda made a heartfelt plea to the people of the north to remain united with the rest of Malawians.

“Unity is the key for our development,” she said. “We matter more when we are united.”

She appealed to her party members for hard work, loyalty, love, respect and discipline.

Banda called for PP to be “a mature and responsible opposition party” and work on rebuilding exercise.

She also thanked for the North for giving her PP a “resounding vote” during the May 20 elections as well as having a Mayor of the northern city of Mzuzu from PP.